Married Couple Named in Fatal Head-On Crash on Highway 46 SLO

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (August 1, 2024) — The California Highway Patrol identified a married couple from Paso Robles who died in a head-on collision last week while attempting to pass a big rig on Highway 46 near Highway 41.

Helmut Stich, 83, and Karen Stich, 72, were traveling westbound on Highway 46 East in a 2020 Hyundai shortly after midnight on July 23. Helmut was driving the Hyundai at approximately 55 mph behind a tractor-trailer when he attempted to pass it.

Upon entering the eastbound lane, the Hyundai collided head-on with a 2005 Ford F350 driven by Grant McKenzie of San Diego. McKenzie sustained major injuries and was transported to Adventist Health Sierra Vista hospital in San Luis Obispo.

Both Helmut and Karen Stich died at the scene. This crash on Highway 46 is still under investigation.